Born again

We now come to one of the most famous passages in scripture.

In the States and most Western countries, most people have at least heard the idea of being born again even if they don’t understand it. But what does it mean, really?

In this passage, a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus to consult with him.

Jesus had already apparently started performing miracles apart from the one at Cana, and so Nicodemus, unlike most of his peers, had gained some respect for Jesus, recognizing that he must be from God.

What was his main purpose in seeking out Jesus? It’s hard to say.

Certainly, he was not ready to become a full-on follower of Jesus as he sought Jesus at night when no one could see him. But lack of boldness notwithstanding, he did come to Jesus.

And after he greeted Jesus with a few words that he no doubt intended to be gracious, Jesus cut right to the chase, saying,

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. (John 3:3)

The words stunned Nicodemus. Like I said, he was a Pharisee, a group of people that dedicated their lives to keeping the law. For them, that was their ticket to heaven.

But Jesus said, “No, the ticket to heaven is not in your works. You must instead be born again.”

Nicodemus had no idea what Jesus was talking about, and he asked,

How can a man be born when he is old…Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born! (John 3:4)

Here we see a problem that Jesus often faced, and we see it throughout the gospels, especially in John. Jesus is giving a spiritual truth, but the people who are hearing it can’t get past their material way of thinking.

How often are we the same? Unable to see spiritual truths because we are too focused on the physical things of this earth?

At any rate Jesus confused him even more saying,

I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)

There are many explanations for being “born of water.”

I think it refers back to Ezekiel 36:25-27. There God talks about sprinkling us with water, and the meaning there is to wash us clean of our sins. He then says that he will put a new heart and spirit in us.

That’s what it means to be “born again.” To have a completely new heart and spirit. One that wants to please God.

That’s why Jesus tells Nicodemus,

You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:7)

In order to become part of this earthly “kingdom,” you need to be born in it. You don’t work your way into this world. You are simply born into it.

And in the same way, to be part of God’s kingdom, you need to be born into it.

You can’t work your way into it. You are simply born into it.

How? You need to be born of the Spirit. That’s why God told the Jews in Ezekiel that he would give us his Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

Physical birth comes primarily through the work of the mother. Spiritual birth comes through the work of the Spirit.

Jesus then compares the Spirit to the wind. You can see the effect of the wind, but you can’t see the wind itself.

In the same way, the Spirit works in human hearts, changing them from the inside out. We can’t see him physically as he does his work. We merely see the effects.

And as he works in our hearts, we change into completely new people. We are born again.

Nicodemus should have known this. Jeremiah talked about this transformation that God would bring about (Jeremiah 31:31-34). So did Ezekiel, as we saw earlier.

But instead Nicodemus was stuck in the misconception that he had to earn his salvation.

How about you? Are you still trying to work your way into heaven? Or have you been born again?